Amsterdam in July - Tips needed on Accomodation & What to do, please!

annie-c · 29 May 2006 at 8:56AM

A friend and I are planning to spend a few days in Amsterdam in June/July and are looking for tips on good, central accomodation, interesting/unusual things to do and nice places to eat.

We are two girls sharing, and just want a twin-room in reasonable, clean, central accomodation - no frills needed, but would be prepared to spend a bit more to stay in central accomodation than to have spend time getting transport to and from a hotel on the outskirts.

We like a mixture of sightseeing/culture, shopping and good food/wine. Are there particular hotels/areas best suited to those pursuits, as opposed to, say nightclubs and bars that we would not particularly want to visit?

Hope that any MSE'ers who have been to Amsterdam recently will help us out!

Annie

mistresslenore · 29 May 2006 at 9:37AM

Have a look at Amstel Botel. It's a boat moored in the dock, it is reasonably priced, so it's basic but clean. It has the added bonus of being walking distance from central station, so you save money on transfers, if you're flying the train station is in the same building, and is about a 30 minute journey. I like the hotel cos a lot of the buildings start to look the same, but as it's unique you can find it really quickly. Enjoy your trip
xx

annie-c · 29 May 2006 at 2:15PM

Thanks mistresslenore.

A stupid question to add to the others - apart from hiring a bike (I don't like bikes!), what is the best way to get around Amsterdam. Is it a 'walkable' city or is it a good idea to get a pass for the trams/trains?

Donnie · 29 May 2006 at 3:18PM

You can think about the tram/train/bus situation when you get there.

I prefer to stay in the Jordaan, as it's has a nice 'feel' to it. I use a house there. Anne Frank House is a short walk away. Walking from there into the city centre illustrates a world of difference.
I used to stay in a double room in an apartment in Waterlooplein. Another good location, close to the Muziek Theater. Albert Hein supermarket stands nearby.
Let me know if you'd like more details.
What is your accommodation budget?
The RLD is horrible. Ok to visit, but not a nice atmosphere.

La Place, in the V&D building in the city centre is a good place for informal dining.

The address is;
Kalverstraat 203
1012 XC Amsterdam
Tel: 0900 - 235 83 63

Openingstijden:
Maandag: 11.00 – 18.30
Dinsdag: 10.00 – 18.30
Woensdag: 10.00 – 18.30
Donderdag: 10.00 – 21.00
Vrijdag: 10.00 – 18.30
Zaterdag: 10.00 – 18.30
Zondag: 12.00 – 18.00

Website; http://www.laplace.nl/

Let me know if you need more info.

mistresslenore · 29 May 2006 at 3:23PM

It's a hell of a lot bigger than you think, I don't blame you on the bike front, they are scary. I would recommend a tram pass, they are useful and not too expensive, you wouldn't want to miss out on stuff. Another way a lot of people travel is by rollerblade if you're feeling really brave!!
Beware of them and bikes, they have priority over everytype of transport, appear silently from nowhere and try and kill you!!!!

black-saturn · 29 May 2006 at 3:49PM

I'm going to Amsterdam in 3 days time and staying at the Hilton. I've been twice before and found it a really large city. Lots of things are close together but to get a real look at the place you need a tram pass or very good walking boots.

Dora_the_Explorer_5 · 29 May 2006 at 5:04PM

Tips on loads of stuff on Amsterdam from people who've visited http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/places/netherlands/amsterdam/index.jsp

jonesMUFCforever · 29 May 2006 at 7:34PM

If you type 'what to do in Amsterdam' into Google then a load of sites pop up at you!
Not having a go; because we will be going for the 6th time in August and like to think by now we know where most of the touristy things are.
Try https://www.hotels.nl for accomadation but I would be wary of hostels or low stars hotel unless you get private facilties.
We find the only downside to Amsterdam is the cost of hotel rooms - everything else is reasonable.
If you do end up at the Botel and like Chinese food then you must go to the Sea palace floating restauarant moored next door to it. The food is really nice!

For a relaxing hour or so try a boat trip plenty near Central satation and cheap.
Have a good time.

annie-c · 29 May 2006 at 8:42PM

Thanks everyone for the ideas - please keep them coming!

I have a tourist guide book and have done some web searches but am just wanting to learn from the experience of others who have already been. For example, I put in loads of research before visiting Rome the other year, but made a big mistake with accomodation, because I misjudged how far the hotel was from the main sites of interest. 1 mile can be a v short distance when there is plenty to see on the way, but if it is 1 mile up a dual carriageway, then public transport becomes a necessity!!! I would love to hear about the areas in which other travellers have stayed....

Annie

annie-c · 29 May 2006 at 8:43PM

Dora_the_Explorer wrote:

Tips on loads of stuff on Amsterdam from people who've visited http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/places/netherlands/amsterdam/index.jsp

Dora - I've saved this link in my favourites - I am a Guardian reader but never saw this before - it's great! :T

15lsp · 29 May 2006 at 9:14PM

I cant remember the name of the hotel we stayed in but it was on the outskirts about a 10 tram ride to city centre but not too far to walk. We stayed near the Rijks museum. I found the city rough at night and I got offered drugs on the street quite often.

The art museums are worth a look and check out the diamond factory...my other half nearly had a heart attack when he passed over his credit card :rotfl:

Amsterdam in July - Tips needed on Accomodation & What to do, please!

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free